A Horse is a Horse in Puerto Vallarta

If you’re a horse and history type, you probably already know that horses aren’t native to the America; they came to the New World with Spanish adventurers. They were the long distance conveyance of the 16th century in Mexico (known as New Spain in the day). If you didn’t know, settle back on a lounge chair in your Villa Puerto Vallarta and get familiar with local tradition.

The horse holds a significant place in Mexican culture. It did serve to move the conquistadores from Point A to Point B, something that modern horses probably aren’t especially proud of. On the other hand, when Spaniards introduce cattle to the Americas, the horse was able to bring something positive to its past as it became indispensible to Mexican cattle raisers.

You may encounter a couple of Spanish terms while you’re staying at a Mexico vacation villa rental: caballero and vaquero. Both terms reflect Mexico’s horse and cattle heritage. A vaquero is an individual who works on horseback, tending cattle (vacas) on the range. A caballero may be a gentleman, but he is certainly experienced in handling horses (caballos).

There is much you can learn about horses and horsemanship in Mexico. For example, in the 1970s, Mexican breeders established a new, distinctly Mexican horse breed known as the Azteca. Use your stay in a Villa Puerto Vallarta as an opportunity to learn more about the country’s horse culture and its special breed of horse.

Welcome to Sunny Puerto Vallarta

One of the first things a visitor planning a trip to Puerto Vallarta wants to know is, “How’s the weather this time of year?” The great thing about this destination is that it really doesn’t matter what time of year you’re talking about. Book that Puerto Vallarta Vacation Villa Rental and count on lovely weather.

Prepare yourself for an atmospheric feast: depending on who you listen to (or what you read), you’re in for a lot of sunshine. That’s right, Puerto Vallarta gets anywhere from 322 to 345 days of sunshine every year. Of course, that’s an average, but given those numbers, the smart money says expect sun, bring sunblock.

The “high season” in Puerto Vallarta falls during the winter months. With average highs in the 70s and 80s and lows in the 60s at night, this is the place to be as the snow flies further north. In fact, locals will probably shrug their shoulders and shake their heads “no” if you ask about snow shovels.

Make no mistake: it does rain in Puerto Vallarta, especially between June and September. In fact, it rains quite a little bit. Unlike the rain storms you may be recognize from home, however, this is a warm rain. Sure, it may pelt down, but it most likely won’t leave you soaked and shivering – just soaked. So go ahead, get wet; then return to the comfort of your Puerto Vallarta Vacation Villa Rental to towel off and maybe take a soak – in the hot tub, that is.

High Class Glass in Puerto Vallarta

You’re the lucky duck, the one who will be staying in a Puerto Vallarta Vacation Rental. So be a hero for someone who missed out on the fun – return home with a gift that reflects the warmth and color of Puerto Vallarta. Take home a work of art in the form of Mexican glassware.

Local artists produce some lovely pieces; you’ll recognize them by their gorgeous colors and round, fluid shape. It’s not hard to find – many local galleries carry Mexican glass. Start your search for the perfect piece in Viejo Vallarta at Pee Wee or La Rosa de Cristal.

A gift of glass is both beautiful and practical. A colorful picture frame may be perfect surround for photos from your honeymoon. Or select pieces for beverage service, maybe some tall water glasses or a set of bowl-shaped margarita glasses; it’s pretty easy to find a pitcher to match.

This isn’t assembly line work – genuine Mexican glass is hand-blown, so expect each piece to be just a bit different from its mates. Many connoisseurs prefer pieces with lots of bubbles, which create an even more unique look, and Confetti colors in the glass add a festive touch, as well.

Be a pal and bring back some lovely gifts from your stay in a Puerto Vallarta Vacation Rental. Your friends and loved ones will thank you. Besides, a colorful piece in your own home will inspire you to head back to Banderas Bay at your earliest opportunity.

Rodeo, Puerto Vallarta Style – the Charreada

Looking for a bit of excitement? There is nothing like a Mexican rodeo, or charreada, to get your pulses pounding. Not far from town and your Vacation Rentals in Puerto Vallarta, you can step into an arena to watch teams of men and women match wits with livestock and each other. Throw on some comfortable clothes and take off for an afternoon of fun.

Much like rodeo in the US, the charreada harks back to the days when cowboys, or charros in Spanish, worked their ranches from horseback. Their lifestyle became a tremendously popular subject for movies and novels in the 20th century, and the sport of charreada found its legs.

If you think you know rodeo, be prepared – the charreada has something new for you. Instead of denim-clad individuals competing individually, two teams of men and women dressed in traditional costume compete against each other. You’ll be treated to a colorful opening ceremony, followed by a series of nine events that test the contestants’ skills in a number of areas.

You can ride the bus to Lienzo Charro Miguel Prieto Ibarria; if you prefer, take a taxi or your own car. No matter how you get there, get ready for a wild ride. The competition is fierce and enthusiastic, and the participants always raise a bit of dust as they go about their work.

It’s fast-paced and thrilling, and if you don’t mind eating a bit of dust, you’ll enjoy a day spent in the company of horses and bulls. Don’t worry about the dirt – clean up back at your Vacation Rentals in Puerto Vallarta, and you’re ready for a night on the town.

Celebrate the Winter Holidays in Puerto Vallarta

Winter holidays seem to bring special cheer to life just when we need it most. When it’s cold outside and the days are short and dark, we rise to the challenge with hot chocolate and twinkle lights strung by the hundreds. You will love spending the “Season of Light” in a Luxury Villa Rental Puerto Vallarta on Banderas Bay, where local tradition adds a special flair to the seasonal celebrations.

The Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe
December 12, the Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe, is one of the most special feast days in Mexico. This festival marks the day that the beautiful Virgin of Guadalupe revealed herself to a young Mexican peasant and instructed him to build a church on that spot. If you planned your stay in a luxury villa rental Puerto Vallarta to coincide with that date, you really must take part in the festivities.

The celebration begins on December 1; each night, a different local organization puts together a procession that makes its way through the streets of town to the catedral to pay homage to the Virgin. On the final night of the celebration, revelers take to the streets, vendors crowd the plaza and fireworks fill the skies.

And There’s More . . .
You may not know that December 12 is also recognized in Puerto Vallarta as the city’s anniversary. You might want to catch the special ceremonies at City Hall, and you certainly don’t want to miss the fiesta along the Malecon. After this date, official holidays take a breather until December 16, when the Christmas season begins.

The week of December 16 through 24 is “Christmas Week” in Mexico. Throughout the week, you may find yourself invited to special “posadas,” or parties, that reprise Mary and Joseph’s search for lodging in Bethlehem. Processions of people make their way to a given house, singing and carrying candles. When they arrive and ask for a place to stay, the host tells them “no” several times before he finally throws open his door and invites everyone in to the party.

No matter what your belief system, you cannot help but enjoy December in Puerto Vallarta. Use your Luxury Villa Rental Puerto Vallarta as a base and get out there with the crowds, light a candle, and take part in the lovely traditions of Mexico.

Chocolate at Home in Puerto Vallarta

Maybe you didn’t know that chocolate, or rather, the cacao seed that produces chocolate, is native to Mexico. Or maybe you did know. In either case, you’ll want to learn more about this divine product of Mexico during your stay at your Villa Puerto Vallarta.

“Divine” is an appropriate term for chocolate, because its botanical name is said to mean, “food of the gods.” The treat was known for centuries before native Aztec peoples introduced it to Spanish invaders. European explorers offered it to their royal sponsors in Spain, and after a bit of experimentation, hot chocolate as we know it was born.

In Puerto Vallarta, however, you really ought to try chocolate Mexico style. As a beverage, Mexican bitter chocolate may be mixed with milk, and it always includes spices like molasses, cinnamon, anise, and even chile. And the centerpiece of the local dish called Chicken Mole is the mole sauce, a heavenly blend of chococlate, chile, cloves, anise and other spices cooked in chicken stock.

You can enjoy the taste of chocolate cuisine in local restaurants. And if you’re staying in a Villa Puerto Vallarta, you can purchase Mexican chocolate at a local market and whip up a special meal on your own. Better yet, ask the cook at your villa to prepare his or her favorite chocolate dish. However you choose to do it, make it a point to enjoy a dish that features this native treat.